Male students at BYU–Hawaii interested in dating female students feel they have to move fast because of rumors surrounding the retention of female students.
Brigham Madsen, a senior studying business management from California, has created his own theory, aptly titled “The Brigham Madsen Theory,” to describe the phenomenon. He said, “I think 70 percent of the girls on campus are freshman. They stay one or two semesters, get their Hawaii and adventure pictures, and most importantly get their Instagram game on lock. There aren’t as many guys here so they take off to the mainland to get noticed.”
The incoming 2015 freshman class consisted 524 new freshmen, with 382 females and 142 males, according to Janey Grover, admissions officer. Approximately 800 students were admitted into BYUH, with the female to male ratio of roughly 2/1, 35 percent male and 65 percent female, reported Grover.
According to the Institutional Research department, the retention rate for freshman to sophomore for the 2013-2014 were 61percent. As of Fall 2014, 43 percent of the student body was male. Of the incoming freshmen, 73 percent were female in Fall 2014. The average that will be reported at the upcoming CES fireside are 43/57, while BYU Provo’s reported average is 47/53.
Some students say it isn’t fair to assume that all the new students will not graduate and earn their degrees from here. Mackenzie Casper, a freshman studying graphic design from Idaho, stated, “Before coming to BYU–Hawaii, I was planning to only stay for one or two semesters and then transfer to BYU-Idaho. I wanted to come and have a fun experience and then go back home and get serious about my education. But then I came here and fell in love with the people, the school and the cultures so now I plan on staying and graduating from here.”
Yume Nakamura, a senior studying hospitality and tourism management from Japan, said, “I agree there are no guys, but since it’s Hawaii they come to study. I think Americans come for a couple of semesters and are able to transfer if they want to, or go home. As an international student wanting a college experience in America, we don’t have a choice because we feel so comfortable at a church school. We are more comfortable here with the standards.”
Like Madsen, some students have been able to “get their Instagram game on lock” while continuing their education here in Hawaii. Nakamura, an avid poster, is nearing her millennium mark with 996 followers. She reiterated what Madsen said while adding her secret to Instagram success, “Post a cool picture every day. It’s as simple as that.”